British Court Blocks Publishing Possible Nude Photos of Tiger Woods

By Kamika Dunlap on December 11, 2009 10:10 AM

If possible nude photos of Tiger Woods exisit, they won't be featured in any British tabloids.

According to CNN, the golf legend's lawyers in Britan have secured an injunction from the High Court in London prohibiting the publication of pictures of him taken or obtained in certain circumstances.

Schillings law firm, which is representing Woods said the golfer is not aware of any images and in any event, he would not have consented to any such photos.

In a letter sent to legal departments of British publications, Schillings said that in the event that such photographs do exist they "... may have been fabricated, altered, manipulated and or changed to create the false appearance and impression that they are nude photographs of our client."

The order dictates that anyone who violates it may be held in contempt of court and may be fined, imprisoned or have assets seized.

This is an example of the gulf between free speech (and free press) protections in the US and in the UK.

In the US, First Amendment rights would not allow such an incredibly broad injunction.

For example, Playgirl would not be strictly barred from publishing phots of Tiger (which they reportedly claim to have obtained). The adult online magazine said it would consider publishing the images if it can verify that they are genuine.

The women linked to Woods include two porn stars, several waitresses, night club managers and a reality television star.

As previously discussed, Woods was not criminally charged for crashing his SUV into a tree and was issued a citation for careless driving. He was fined $164.

Woods issued a statement on his website last week apologizing to his family and supporters for unspecified "transgressions." He also bashed the media for their coverage and pleaded for privacy for himself, his wife Elin, 29, and their two small children.